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Tuesday, 5 November 2013

The Role of Walnuts in Preventing Prostate Cancer



Do you know this? A common cancer that occurs in men is Prostate cancer. There is a parameter called as prostate-specific antigen for diagnosing prostate cancer. If the occurrence of this parameter is high then the probability of this disease is also high. If the ratio of this parameter is low then the probability of this disease may occur.

The several studies have shown that the anti-oxidant tocopherol obstructs the growth of prostate cancer cells including malign cancer cells. Hence, Walnuts are having the anti-oxidant tocopherol in a great measure which is also called as Vitamin E. With 75 g of walnuts, there will be 16 mg tocopherol which is very essential for our body to resist against prostate cancer. These walnuts also contain ellagic acid which acts as an anti-carcinogen has got the ability to kill the cancer cells and also forming new blood vessels.

Walnuts are naturally high in health boosting benefits including omega-3 fatty acids which help in slowing down the tumors. The role of walnuts in preventing cancer has been shown in most of the research projects. It has been proved that the walnuts can prevent prostate cancer easily by adding them to your diet. They are very rich in phyto-chemical substances that help in acting as anti-oxidants to our body which include melatonin, vitamin E, ellagic acid, poly-phenolic compounds and carotenoids. These compounds help in preventing cancer, inflammation, aging and neurological diseases.

             Walnuts (Juglans regia),  
Nutritional value per 100 g. 
Principle
Nutrient Value
Percentage of RDA
Energy
654 Kcal
33%
Carbohydrates
13.71 g
11%
Protein
15.23 g
27%
Total Fat
65.21 g
217%
Cholesterol
0 mg
0%
Dietary Fiber
6.7 g
18%
Vitamins


Folates
98 µg
24%
Niacin
1.125 mg
7%
Pantothenic acid
0.570 mg
11%
Pyridoxine
0.537 mg
41%
Riboflavin
0.150 mg
11.50%
Thiamin
0.341 mg
28%
Vitamin A
20 IU
0.50%
Vitamin C
1.3 mg
2%
Vitamin E-γ
20.83 mg
139%
Vitamin K
2.7 µg
2%
Electrolytes


Sodium
2 mg
0%
Potassium
441 mg
9%
Minerals


Calcium
98 mg
10%
Copper
1.5 mg
167%
Iron
2.9 mg
36%
Magnesium
158 mg
39.50%
Manganese
3.4 mg
148%
Phosphorus
346 mg
49%
Selenium
4.9 µg
9%
Zinc
3.09 mg
28%
Phyto-nutrients


Carotene-ß
12 µg
--
Crypto-xanthin-ß
0 µg
--
Lutein-zeaxanthin
9 µg
--

Friday, 25 October 2013

How does Bitter Gourd help in preventing cancer?


Bitter gourd is a tropical fruit loaded with essential minerals and vitamins which are helpful for a healthy body. It is known by different names like bitter melon, bitter cucumber and bitter apple and has got an important role in fighting against cancer. Though it tastes bitter, it is filled with several beneficial antioxidants and other vitamins. It can be consumed in different ways such as pickle, drinking its juice and using them in recipes. Now let us look its health benefits especially in preventing Cancer.  

  1. Fights Cancer: Do you know this, diet can play an important role in prevention and therapy of cancer. The bitter gourd stops the development of cancer cells and kills them effectively. It effects discern between healthy and cancer cells and leave normal cells intact.
  2. Boosts immune system: If you take a glass of bitter gourd juice every day will help you to boost your immune system and increases the fighting power of the body against the diseases.
  3. Blood purification: Its juice can be used in curing blood disorders such as itching due to septicemia and blood boils. This bitter gourd has blood purifying properties and take a little juice daily on an empty stomach.
  4. Liver tonic: You can drink one glass of bitter melon juice daily to cure liver problems. If you want to see the results, consume it daily.
  5. Kidney and bladder: It is a natural remedy for maintaining a healthy liver and bladder. Its juice is very useful in curing the kidney stones.

Other health benefits:

  1. Heart disease: Bitter gourd is helpful for the heart in many ways. It reduces the level of bad cholesterol which decreases the chances of heart attacks. It also lowers blood sugar levels that are helpful for a healthy heart.
  2.  Weight loss: Bitter melon contains antioxidants that improve digestive system and metabolism which in further help you to lose your weight. It develops the two major factors like calorie control and filling components which aid in losing weight.
  3.  Piles: The bitter gourd juice is very useful for the patients who are suffering from piles. Even the paste made out of this, is helpful for a healthy body.
  4.  Makes your skin healthy: It is very effective in treating skin infections and skin diseases and keeps your skin free of blemishes and makes your skin glow.
  5.  Fights Diabetes: The recent studies shown that the juice of bitter melon will reduce the blood sugar levels which in turn reduce the risk of high cholesterol, heart disease and hypertension. 


The insights of Saunf or Fennel seeds in preventing Cancer?


Saunf or Fennel is an aromatic and cooling herb that is used in different culinary preparations. It is an herbaceous perennial plant which is grown all over the world. Fennel seeds are harvested after the changing of the color of the seed heads to light brown. It has many medicinal values nutrients, anti-oxidants, minerals, vitamins and dietary fiber. It has a great importance in preventing cancer and has got many other health benefits too.

·        Saunf seeds contain several flavonoid anti-oxidants such as quercetin and kaempferol. Hence, these compounds act as powerful antioxidants which function in removing harmful free radicals from the body and protect you from cancers, aging diseases, infections and degenerative neurological diseases.

·        Fennel seeds have got health benefiting volatile important oil compounds like, limonene, anethole, pinene, anisic aldehyde, fenchone, cineole and chavicol. Therefore, these compounds act as an antioxidant, carminative, digestive and anti-flatulent properties.


·        Generally, these Saunf seeds symbolize courage, strength and longevity. They have different types of essential nutrient compounds, minerals, vitamins, anti-oxidants and nutritional fiber which play a great role to keep our body healthy.

·        This herb protects you from cardiovascular disease and cancer, particularly estrogen-dependent cancer. It can be taken in the form of fennel tea and it also cures menopausal disorders, flatulence and hot flashes.


·        It has got several types of properties like carminative, anti-carcinogenic galactagogue, anti-spasmodic, anti-inflammatory, diuretic and antimicrobial. It also has a mild licorice flavor which contains anethole. However, it is rich in phytoestrogens.

·        It is a great remedy for stomach and intestines as it helps in digestion and stimulates the metabolism. It promotes the function of liver and kidneys and relieves from the problems related to colic, spleen and irritable bowel syndrome.


·        As it is having the dietary fiber, helps in binding the bile salts which are produced from cholesterol, decreasing their re-absorption in colon and lowering serum LDL cholesterol levels. The flavonoid anti-oxidants and fiber together protect the colon mucus membrane from cancers.  

The major role of Mint in preventing Cancer and its health benefits


One of the world’s favourite flavours, mint’s popularity in toothpaste, chewing gum, drinks, salads, ice cream, chocolate, breath fresheners and tea is tied to its feeling of freshness. This herb contains volatile oils that impart a cooling sensation in the mouth, which is ideal on a hot summer day.

Mint (Mentha) has over 25 species and hundreds of varieties. It is one of the easiest perennials to add to your garden or windowsill, but be careful — it can take over a garden like a weed. From stomach aches to sinus congestion, people have used mint to treat their ailments for thousands of years. Take a look at the science supporting the use of this amazing green herb.

There are many major health benefits of Mint especially in killing Cancer:

1. Numerous phytochemicals in mint are powerful anti-oxidants that obliterate the free radicals that menace your cells. Damaged cells can then lead to malfunctioning organ systems. Mint is effective in interrupting this process, thus staving off illness and perhaps even slowing the rate of aging.

2. Mint has a strong anti-inflammatory effect. Again this is related to the phytochemicals. Chronic inflammation is at the root of most chronic illness, so the action of mint to balance the inflammation that results from any threat to your body can be beneficial.

3. If you are looking for an ally to fight cancer, mint protects your cells from mutation and enhances the DNA repair process. In addition, peppermint oil is steam-distilled from mint leaves. This safe process avoids the toxic hexane used to extract most vegetable oils. So mint oil does not pollute you or the environment with cancer-causing chemicals.

4. Mint helps prevent infections of many types. Researchers have demonstrated mint kills harmful bacteria, viruses, fungi, and yeast that want to set up residence in your body.

5. Mint is inexpensive and available in any supermarket or natural food store. You don’t need a prescription to buy it. The label is not filled with scary side effects.

6. Its antimicrobial and anti-fungal: Mint has the ability to not only kill the bad bacteria that are in our digestive tract, it also combats the overgrowth of fungus that is present after many of us take prescription antibiotics. Mint is a powerful herb in the prevention and treatment of Candida albicans (a common yeast infection).


7. It is a powerful anti-inflammatory: Many varieties of mint are traditionally consumed as an anti-inflammatory for the lungs. Mint is showing to have promising effects in clinical trials of asthma treatments by extracting the active nutrient rosmarinic acid, which can block inflammation. Mint should not be used as a substitute for any asthma medication, but rather in addition to it.

8. It may have the potential to kill cancer cells:
Mint is in the early stages of research for cancer treatments for its cytotoxic (cell-killing) effect on certain types of cancer cells, because of a specific phytonutrient it contains called parallel alcohol. It is also a great preventative treatment, as it is packed full of antioxidants.

Tuesday, 8 October 2013

Even Gooseberry (Amla) also prevents Cancer. Do you know that?



Gooseberry known as Amla is one of the most important fruits in Ayurveda which has got incredible health benefits. It is always healthy to have one piece of Amla on a daily basis and it is suggested by the physicians too. It has rich source of Vitamin C and packed with compounds such as polyphenols, vitamin B complex, minerals like Iron and Zinc. It really helps in preventing Cancer and other diseases which are given below.

  • Protects you from Cancer: Amla has the potential to prevent cancer because it is packed with antioxidant properties. It helps in fighting against the harmful effects of chemicals that are carcinogenic and inhibits the further growth of cancer affected cells. It also reduces the harmful effects of radiation and chemotherapy and acts as an anti-cancer treatment. 
  • Protects your liver: It has been proved that Amla has the potential to safeguard the liver from oxidative damage affected by alcohol or chemicals. It can be also used as a remedy to get rid of the hangover after drinking in order to keep your liver safe.
  •  Acts as an antioxidant: It is a great source of antioxidant as it is having Vitamin C and polyphenols. Amla has high content of tannins which are combined with the polyphenols, provides you a unique free radical scavenging property. Hence, this further helps you to reduce the harm caused by free radicals in the body. 


Other health benefits:

  • Protects your heart: Amla reduces the cholesterol in our body and keeps heart disease under check. It is effective in regulating the oxidation of Low density lipoprotein because it is rich in fiber and iron. It helps in maintaining the cholesterol levels in the body.
  • Controls diabetes: It has polyphenol properties that can protect the body from the oxidative properties of high blood sugar. It is also effective in inhibiting the insulin resistance produced by a great fructose diet.
  • Improves your sex life: The iron content in Amla, increases the enhancing of the sperm properties. If you drink a glass of Amla juice daily, increases the virility as well as the sexual vigor. It helps in improving the sperm production in the body. 
  • Gastric problems: Amla with its anti-inflammatory properties like, fiber and polyphenol, make a great antidote for an upset stomach. Therefore, when you get acidity, just have a teaspoon of Amla juice, surely it reduces it immediately.     
                                             
See the table below for in depth analysis of nutrients:

Gooseberries (Ribes uva-crispa L.),
Nutrition Value per 100 g.
ORAC Value (Anti-oxidant level) 3277 umol TE/100 g.
(Source: USDA National Nutrient data base)
Principle
Nutrient Value
Percentage of RDA
Energy
44 Kcal
2%
Carbohydrates
10.18 g
8%
Protein
0.88 g
1.5%
Total Fat
0.58 g
3%
Cholesterol
0 mg
0%
Dietary Fiber
4.3 g
11%
Vitamins
Folates
6 mcg
1.5%
Niacin
0.300 mg
2%
Pantothenic acid
0.286 mg
6%
Pyridoxine
0.080 mg
6%
Riboflavin
0.030 mg
2%
Thiamin
0.040 mg
3%
Vitamin A
290 IU
10%
Vitamin C
27.7 mg
46%
Electrolytes
Sodium
1 mg
0%
Potassium
198 mg
4%
Minerals
Calcium
25 mg
2.5%
Copper
0.070 mg
8%
Iron
0.31 mg
4%
Magnesium
10 mg
2.5%
Manganese
0.144 mg
6%
Phosphorus
27 mg
4%
Zinc
0.12 mg
1%